‘The Glee Project’ Recap: Contestants Demonstrate ‘Romanticality,’ Shanna Sent Home

On tonight's (July 31) episode of 'The Glee Project,' the remaining six contestants were asked to demonstrate "romanticality."  It's down to the final six with only three more weeks left, and the hopefuls needed to be able to enact believable romantic relationships, since 'Glee' proper is known for its iconic, blockbuster pairings. It was a tough decision, but Shanna was sent home since there was an abundance of females remaining.

Theme: Romanticality was the theme, since romance and relationships are a huge part of the show. The series is erected on its relationships, both gay and straight, so the contestants needed to be believable as couples with palpable chemistry.

Mentor: Darren Criss, aka Blaine Anderson, is the resident heartthrob on the show and has done some of the most groundbreaking romantic scenes on 'Glee' so he mentored. "Romance is inherently [about] being vulnerable and having a sincere and unique connection because of the that," Criss said.

Homework Assignment: The 90s ballad 'More Than Words' by Extreme, was chosen, with guitarist Nuno Bettencourt on hand to play guitar live during the assignment. Since there are only two boys left, Aylin and Lily had to pair off as a couple during their rendition. They made out. Shanna and Michael were tactile, singing while staring into one another's eyes, while Ali and heartthrob Blake were tender, holding hands, nuzzling noses and kissing. All in all, the three couples were romantically believable. Criss felt Shanna and Michael were stiff and that Aylin and Lily were a bit more melodramatic. Ali and Blake were tender and earnest, so Blake won!

Music Video: For ‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna, the video concept was high school detention on the weekend, where the characters sneak off for a little romance, a la 'The Breakfast Club.' Ali and Blake remained partnered up, and him taking her out of her wheelchair and carrying her made the romance feel so real. Lily teamed up with Michael and for once wasn't overpowering. Aylin went the lesbian route again, teaming with Shanna, but their "romance" felt choreographed and fake.

Last Chance: Three top contenders had to perform for Ryan Murphy. Blake sang 'Losing My Religion' by R.E.M., and we were shocked that he had to perform and Michael didn't, since Blake is clearly the stronger of the two. Duh. Murphy was saying how there is an absence of nerves and that he coasts on charm. Well, Blake showed his nerves with this song but still nailed it. Aylin sang Roberta Flack's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and forgot the words. Murphy questioned what she could mean as a Muslim on mainstream TV, breaking a stereotype. Shanna sang Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger' and the Murph told her he wished she'd be a little bolder, especially with so many girls remaining in the competition.

Here's a sentence about how each of them fared this week:

Ali: Again, she is blooming late and being paired with Blake helped her to shine.
Aylin: She's cocky, but fearless, embracing the lesbian roles this week.
Blake: Just crown him the winner already, even if the crack in his armor was discovered this week. (He can't harmonize!)
Lily: She was able to work with Michael, as opposed to overpowering him. It was the first time we saw her be "sweet."
Michael: He's good, but he's not Blake.
Shanna: She's never performed for Ryan until now. And now she's gone.